You know, Terrye, it's funny --- I don't get the same feeling. I feel more like, mmm, like the whole reason we're here is to provide an audience, and the farther out we get and the better we get at it, the better we're doing what we're meant to do.

It's on the other side? Mars is also farther out than Earth--maybe affecting the glare. We're to Mars as Venus is to us, relative to the sun. So, Venus seems to wander all over the sky while Mars is much slower and more sedate--from our POV.

Mars the god of war glowers steadily from afar, while Venus the goddess of love capers all over the sky, kicking up her heels, shining brightly.